In order to design the customer flow in your store for maximum benefit, it is essential that you understand what your key anchor points are and how to utilize these to maximize your “products viewed distance” and sales.

In order of significance there are several key anchors to consider including:

Doors (entry and exit) As this is usually not very flexible it is not likely that you will have a significant number of options available for placement of this anchor point. This means that however you design your flow, this should be your starting point. If at all possible it could prove of value to have separate entrance and exit doors. Ideally the longer distance (measured in products viewed) you can get your customer to move, the better your sales will be.

Cashiers Unfortunately this is another anchor point with limited flexibility. Usually you would want this placed at the end of the customer journey, and for security reason likely close to your exit doors. There are some environments where these concerns are not an issue, in which case you should make sure you locate this again for the sake of the journey, product placement and anchor positioning.

Service counters When you have a business that use service counters to deal with specific needs, these can be utilized like any other primary anchor point. Place it at the back somewhere, as customers will be going to it intentionally. Also remember that this will often prove a natural pause point, so make use of the space around this carefully as far as product placement is concerned.

Primary anchor products Anything that is a high volume consumable item is something that should be considered a possible primary anchor product, and therefore should be placed to get the most value out of the position. If you have more than one, be sure to place them on opposite sides of your store. Also consider which items would typically be used together. You want to separate those unless your products are mostly want products.

Secondary anchor products Although secondary anchors are less valuable for managing customer flow journeys, they are still products that people need, even if less frequent. Once you have locked down all your primary anchor points, you can start placing these items in locations which direct flow based on products that complement. Essentially use these as “mini” anchor points to get as much of your complementing products noticed, as well as to direct the flow between primary anchor points, extending the journey even further.

One very important thing to remember is that to truly understand the flow of your store, you may have to make a specific study of this subject, for your specific store. Each store is different, meaning that your flow will likely prove to have some unique qualities that only you can identify and manage. Be sure to pay attention, and then adapt according to your own discoveries.

I wish you all the best in your ventures and invite you to share your stories and comments here.

Text anchor links are the tags that usually provide the link that directs it to your site address. More often, the reason as to why business people and marketers are engaging into this kind of an activity is because of the fact that purchasing text links can considerably boost your rank site and will make better in the search engine results page. Again, the reason for all these marketing brouhaha all boils down to one thing – traffic!

Although there are no specific search engine guidelines that forbids and prohibits business people from buying and purchasing text anchor links, the more common problem that people are encountering is the bogus anchor text link that they buy that lead to a more damaging and jeopardizing state. As such, when one plans to go about purchasing text anchor links, you may want to be guided by these following guidelines:

a. Determine first your motive why you want to go about purchasing anchor text links. If you are purchasing text anchor links for search engine results page and building traffic, it is advised that you purchase the text anchor links from sites which bear related anchor text links.

b. You have to ensure that the purchased anchor text link is directed towards your own site and to anybody else’s site. This has been the most common issue that business people are having.

c. When you buy your anchor text link, you resort to buying the longer termed ones. The weekly and the monthly thing are just not as working right for a site as the range and duration does not cover the projected pick up time of the link.

d. Always make sure that you have prior knowledge about the anchor text that you are purchasing. There are times that the anchor text is a bogus one.

e. Make sure that you buy some variations on the anchor text that you are purchasing. It makes sense because you need to make sure that there other things that net users get to see from time to time.

Purchasing an anchor text link is never in violation of any search engine protocol, but having it on an equal and fair method can give you the best claim that you did well on your ranking because you made it fair and square.

Anchoring occurs in every negotiation in one form or another. To enhance your negotiation position, be aware of when it occurs, the intent of it, the mindset you adopt when observing it, and what response you or your negotiation counterpart will have to it. Those ingredients will drastically affect the flow and outcome of the negotiation. Consider the following.

Anchoring Intent:
Know the intent of anchoring. It should align with your negotiation plans. In some situations, it may be prudent to let the other negotiator anchor his position first. The justification would be based on him displaying more of his position than you displaying yours. Regardless of the option you choose, remember the person that anchors first sets a mile-marker that establishes a boundary in the negotiation.

Anchoring Tonality:
When considering how to implant your anchor, consider the tonality you’ll employ to assist your efforts. As an example, if you state your position with a timid sounding voice, you run the risk of sounding unsure and weak. On the other hand, if you convey your intent with a rich and deep voice, you’ll project the perception of authority. You’ll be more believable, influential, and convincing; a deep voice is commanding; It projects authority. In either case, be mindful of the perception your tone of voice has on your pronouncements.

Anticipate Response:
Unlike other tools in a negotiation, you should use anchoring judiciously. It will become the cornerstone upon which an easy or tough negotiation ensues.

Before choosing when and how you’ll anchor your position, consider what the response might be to it. When planning, assemble actions that will buttress up and progress your position, while keeping the negotiation away from quagmires.

You should always anticipate your counterpart’s next move. When anchoring, anticipate several future moves that he might make. Since anchoring establishes the foundation from which you’ll move forward, be more diligent in your timing, thought process, and implementation.

Mental Mindset:
Be aware of your mental state of mind when attempting to use anchoring as a viable tool in negotiations. If you’re mentally weak about making your offer, per how you’ll anchor it, assess why you have that mindset; more than likely, it won’t serve the goals you’re attempting to achieve. If you can’t muster the mental fortitude to deliver your offer in a manner that supports your efforts, it may be better not to anchor it at all. You don’t want to worsen your chance of acquiring a better deal.

Counter Anchoring:
If you’re aware of what your negotiation counterpart is attempting to achieve by anchoring you to his position, and you don’t like the position it places you in, counter to the extreme opposite. The subliminal message you’ll send is, there’s a wide gap to overcome. It will also serve to message that both of you will have to make a significant movement to advance the negotiation. You can signal that you’re willing to attempt that broach if he is, too.

The potential pitfall of responding to the extreme is to risk an impasse due to such a wide gap in anchors. Thus, you should be thoughtful about how you refute an anchor that’s established and whether you’ll set it first.

Anchoring is the persister that sets the boundaries that follow. It also foreshadows the strategies that will persist after its establishment. Used adroitly, it can be the first volley of an enhanced negotiation. Thus, if you use anchoring skillfully, you’ll be on a path to heightened negotiation outcomes… and everything will be right with the world.